You all brought a lot of joy to my life. Being Cheryl?s pal and companion, I never knew where we were going next or what we were going to do. Each time we headed out, either by car or in her plane, I knew I would experience something new. Whenever we reached our destination, I was thrilled if you were there. I have such great memories of my time with each of you and will share some with you now.
James (I thought of you as my boyfriend) ? I loved it when you would get down on the ground and growl and roll around with me. You knew how to tussle my fur! You made my tail move really fast! The most special time I had with you was when you babysat me at Marana while Cheryl and Lindy went for a bike ride. I finally had you alone.
Rayanne ? I liked you the moment you walked up to me at Rick?s Place. You were so tall, but you quickly got down to my level. I think I licked your face to show my appreciation. It is difficult to be small and want to show affection to someone when not allowed to jump up to reach them. When I wanted to hear you giggle, I would act silly.
Mery Rose ? From Stupino to Marana, you took good care of me for short periods of time. You gave me neat toys and my own email address (Shylah@MeryRose.com). When I got out of the car at Marana, you would greet me with a big ?Shylah ? good morning Shylah!? I loved your accent. Sometimes I?d pretend that I had to sniff the ground for a while before I would run over to greet you. But, I was always happy to see you!
Joan (Grandma) ? You had the best lap of everyone I knew! I liked going out to the stables with you to turn out your horses. I don?t know how you handle that task without me! Your rabbits and birds were fun to chase, but I especially liked teasing the big horses. The day that mule chased me made Cheryl and Lindy laugh. I liked the way you smiled and chuckled at me. You made me smile and chuckle, too.
Sue ? Of all the underwear I chewed, I liked yours the best. I guess I remember destroying a few of your T-shirts as well. No hard feelings? Remember when I was really small and followed you out to the mailbox? Was I stupid at that age or what?! Did I really think I could take over the road instead of that big truck? Gosh, I don?t think I ever ran as fast back to the house as I did that day. But, I learned a good lesson from that close call. I always worried about you going out to the mailbox after that. I hoped you realized what a dangerous place that was. Thank you for taking care of me.
Tee ? I loved your laugh, especially when I?d stick my butt in your cats? faces! I know Cheryl was upset the first time I jumped up on your couch. But, how else was I going to get up to lick your face when you were sitting on the couch? You used to say, ?Silly Girl? when playing with me. Were you referring to me or to you? You always seemed silly to me when quickly moving and snapping your fingers for me to try to catch. I?ll share this secret with you. I didn?t really enjoy eating the cat food. I only did it because I knew it kept all of you on your toes!
Lindy ? I called you Auntie Lindy. We spent a lot of time together and knew each other well. You and I were good at playing Frisbee. You knew how to throw it so that I could catch it in the air. I remember the first time we went down to the lake. I saw my reflection in the water and got the rips back and forth along the bank. I got tired out wondering why that dog wasn?t running with me! I felt like a movie star, as you were constantly taking my picture. When you sang to me, I felt warm and happy inside. Remember when you landed hard on the tuffet and hurt your foot and cried? I was sad for you and scared. I guess your foot is okay now, since you took me on a 3 ½ hour hike the other day. You pooped me out on that one! I?m glad we got to keep each other company whenever Cheryl was out of town. You were the best!
Piston, Boeing, Aero, Intruder, Shadow, Lighting, Mirage, Engine, Strato, Nicki & Tandum - I was lucky to be your sister. Everyday, I enjoyed teasing you, chasing you, loving you, and bantering with you. I remember the first day we met. I was as big as a guinea pig and the grass in the back yard loomed above my head. One-by-one you moved onto the deck and into the yard to get a glimpse of me. I was scared. I remember Clipper coming up to me first and touching noses. Ever since that day, he protected me. I know Boeing wasn?t too keen on my arrival, but he warmed up to me. I?ll never forget the day we came back from a trip and Boeing was in the driveway to greet us. I was so happy to be home and I jumped up on him. He swatted me hard and snarled. I forgot ?Gramps? was too old for that sort of thing. Like all siblings, we had a few quarrels and scraps, but I loved you all ? except for whichever one of you peed on my Mommy bear!
Cheryl (Mom) ? You were the best! I guess I chose wisely when I chose you! The first time I saw you, you held me so gently in your hands. When you left, I was worried that you wouldn?t come back for me. But, you did and I?m glad! I didn?t always know where you were taking me or what we were going to do. I trusted you, so just waited to see what would happen next. You showed me the world and introduced me to so many nice people. There was much to learn at first. I remember not understanding what was going on when you left me and went up in the airplane. Then, minutes later, you silently and softly came down holding onto this big sheet. I never understood what was going on with that, but you seemed happy doing it and that made me happy. The part of the day I dreaded was getting brushed. It felt good afterwards, but it hurt sometimes when you would brush through my tail and by my ears. I wasn?t fond of baths either. But, I learned that the sooner I got in the shower, the sooner it was over with. It made you happy to have me clean, so I did it. While I?m on the subject of unpleasant things, I?d like to mention leash training! I hated that, as you know. Do you understand how it feels to have that heavy chain around your neck and not be able to go where you want to go? I don?t know why you thought I had to sit down every time you told me to heel. Once I sat down, you made me get up again and walk straight ahead. Seemed like wasted energy to me! I don?t know if you knew how happy I was to come and pick you up at the airports. I especially liked going out to Raeford when you would fly in from work. I would hear your airplane coming before Lindy could see it in the sky. I couldn?t wait for you to turn off the engine, so I could run out to greet you. You began each day by wrestling with me on the bed before we would go feed the cats. Letting me lick the cat food off the spoon was a big treat! You gave me kisses and hugs during the day, and took me on errands around town. The dry cleaning ladies thought I was cute and offered me treats. The patients at the chiropractor?s office were sometimes skeptical of me, but I always put on my best ?cuteness? and they calmed down. I?m glad I got to see where you work. Remember when I barked at the moving Santa? Wasn?t that funny to see everyone nervous about me being in the building? I know I made you laugh. I know you made me laugh! I love you Mom.
There are many others who shared my life and brought me joy. I am not bitter for what happened on Friday the 19th of May in the desert in Tucson, Arizona. The big dog that attacked me and ended my life doesn?t understand what he did. I can?t go back in time and change my behavior. I wanted to chase that rabbit and didn?t expect to get into a situation from which I couldn?t escape. There is no blame. I had a great life thanks to all of you.
